Licensed Practical Nurse - 100BC - Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Essential Accountabilities

• Assist the prescriber on the team with assessment of client physical health, making appropriate referrals to community physicians for further assessment and treatment, and coordinating medical treatments with psychiatric treatment.
• Complete nursing assessment within 30 days of admission and yearly thereafter.
• Collaborate with the treatment team in comprehensive assessment of psychiatric history, mental status, and diagnosis; physical and dental health; use of drugs or alcohol; education and employment; social development and functioning; activities of daily living and family structure and relationships.
• Perform individual, group and family supportive therapy and illness education in the process of carrying out the tasks above.
• Transcribes the prescriber's medication orders; administers prescribed injections and medications as needed.
• Observes consumer, records significant conditions and reactions, and notifies current prescriber of consumers condition and reaction to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents.
• Monitor and draw labs for clients as needed.
• Instructs consumers about daily medications (e.g., names of drugs, dosages, interactions, benefits).
• Reviews medication record of each consumer for potential adverse reactions, allergies, interactions, and contraindications on a monthly basis.
• Advise the prescriber of any medication errors and suggests changes.
• Records vital statistics and other pertinent data on consumers; maintains records of same.
• Takes temperature, blood pressure, pulse, weight, and other vital signs to detect deviations from normal and determine progress of consumers.
• Liaisons with physician, dietitians, hospitals, pharmacies, and the consumers family on all health situations.
• Utilize the agency vehicle to conduct visits, escort consumers to appointments, transport food or goods for the consumers home or program sponsored activity.
• Responsible for input into CAIRS upon admission, bi-annually and discharge.
• Act as a clinical liaison between the team and outside entities.
• Document any progress notes in EHR within 48 hours of all client and collateral contacts.
• Ensure all documentation is completed in a timely fashion and remain in compliance with agency, OMH, and AOT regulations.
• Develop treatment plans with the input of other members of the ACT team and the consumers, if applicable.
• Carefully coordinate services with other specialists on the ACT Team, i.e. Family specialist, Employment specialist, Substance abuse specialist, Case manager.
• Provides networking and linkages between the programs, mental health providers, requires both telephone and face-to-face contact.
• Attend and participate in all team meetings.
• Responsible for input into CAIRS upon admission, bi-annually and discharge.
• Act as a clinical liaison between the team and outside entities.
• Document any progress notes in EHR within 48 hours of all client and collateral contacts.
• Ensure all documentation is completed in a timely fashion and remain in compliance with agency, OMH, and AOT regulations.
• Assists in the planning, developing and implementation of goals and training to further develop participants skills, including but not limited to: Budgeting Grooming Nutritional planning Use of public transportation Use of community resources Shopping Housekeeping Physical health & development Adaptive behavior/independent living Nutrition Vocational development Social development.
• Acts as a role model for participants; furthers participants in researching and obtaining community resources appropriate and applicable to their needs and goals; follows-up on any aftercare/recommendations for treatment.
• Escorts/ accompanies participant as needed on appointments (medical, psychiatric, substance abuse).
• Provide crisis intervention and mental health counseling as needed.

Qualifications

• Licensed Practical Nurse, registered, and at least one year of experience working with the mentally ill.
• Clinical supervisory experience is desirable.
• A clear understanding of the characteristics and problems of adults with severe mental illnesses and be knowledgeable about the ACT model.
• Computer proficiency, including the ability to use email, navigate and enter all documentation into electronic medical record.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and knowledge of group dynamics required.
• Valid New York State drivers license and vehicle required.